Chapter 26: Full Moon Festival (3)

"Stand up."

Elnore slowly lifted her eyes as one of the surrounding men said so.

"Follow me. We have somewhere to be."

"Somewhere?"

"Yes."

At least they weren't indicating that they were moving to serve the next course of the meal.

In the first place, they had been displaying a threatening gesture by deliberately showing their bladed weapons.

"…"

However, instead of immediately responding to their demands, Elnore simply furrowed her eyebrows.

"I hope that someday, there will be a man who truly understands me. Someone who will accept my everything. When was the last time I had such a hope? I can't even remember anymore."

As her low-pitched voice sounded, the people around her all frowned.

It was a natural reaction as no sane person would just start a hopeless monologue while being surrounded.

"You know, hope is a dangerous thing. It makes humans blind. I've been fooled a lot too."

"Hey. What are you babbling…"

Elnore grabbed a wine bottle nearby and gulped down the whole thing.

It was an outrageous act that didn't fit her status as a noblewoman.

But strangely, it didn't feel out of place.

It was a sign that she had been suppressing something for a long time.

"But sometimes, there are things that don't betray you."

"…I told you to stand up."

The man, who spoke first, irritatedly strode towards Elnore.

He was clearly going to force her to stand up.

Elnore looked several times smaller compared to the man's giant, well-trained body.

However, the next moment.

Elnore grabbed the man's big arm.

"…!"

Blood gushed out of the spot where she held, as the man's muscles tore and his bones shattered.

Just as the man's eyes widened and was processing the situation in shock, without skipping a beat, Elnore grabbed his head and slammed it onto the table.

The wine bottle she had just been drinking from also fell from the impact.

Blood sprayed and glass shards scattered everywhere.

"…What!"

As the people around her drew their swords in fear, Elnore simply smirked and casually threw the completely unconscious man aside.

The sight of the massive man getting leisurely thrown like a crumpled piece of paper was almost unreal.

"With so many eyes around me, I've been holding back a bit lately."

Her red eyes gleamed menacingly, making her seem more like a beast than a human.

"It's been really difficult."

"You must not kill her, it's top priority! We can tolerate some injury, but you must capture her alive…"

One of the armed men said such words.

A second later, he was slammed into the wall by Elnore's fist.

"Capture me alive, huh. That's interesting."

The men unconsciously took a step back, as they didn't even saw her move.

Her strength and agility was beyond imagination.

"I have no intention of letting you guys do that."

As Elnore said so, the man she had just sent flying picked up his dropped sword on the ground.

Meanwhile, Dowd's words from earlier echoed in her ears.

'These guys are devil worshipers.'

'You've been having a hard time lately, haven't you?'

'I don't know about later, but for this situation, holding back would be worse.'

She smirked.

In fact, it is dangerous to trust accusations of devil worshipers without evidence, unless its from the empire's notorious heresy inquisitors. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know you've met a devil worshipper.

However, the one who told her this was Dowd Campbell. If she doesn't believe him, what else can she believe?

'Here.'

She'll let everything out.

She just can't hate the man.

Releasing one's madness like this was one of the time-honored methods of relief in the long history of the Tristan Family.

She had no idea how the man knew about this.

Nor does she know what he meant by, "I don't know about later."

However.

She had come to realize that she had reached a critical point in suppressing her madness.

In other words.

"In accordance to the imperial law, executing demon worshippers on the spot and reporting it afterwards is no problem. Isn't that right?"

A fierce gleam flashed through her blood-red eyes, and a chilling aura descended upon the entire space. It's as if the air itself froze into ice.

Everyone present felt a sense of foreboding.

"…!"

They had heard the rumors.

Among the best swordsmen in the continent, a young lady was famous for her exceptional talent since childhood.

From the beginning, they never thought it would be easy to face her. But they also didn't think that they wouldn't be able to handle it.

After all, everyone here is a warrior deserving of such confidence.

They are steel-like talents forged in the melting pot of real combat. They are the elites of the elites that Marquis Riverback trained to the best of his abilities.

However.

What stands before them right now is…

What is in front of them right now is not just a "skilled swordsman."

Rather, all the human-like sensations she had just moments ago were wiped away, replaced by an unidentifiable brutality and hostility.

This is… the "something" that takes on the form of Princess Tristian.

It is as black as ink, so much so that it doesn't feel like it's even human!

"So. Be ready to kill."

Well, anyway.

It's a gift from that man.

Her face is still expressionless like usual. But if Dowd saw her now, he would probably think that Elnore was "genuinely smiling."

As if causing harm without the fear of repercussion is the most fun and enjoyable thing.

"That way, you'll be able to hold out a little longer."

Subsequently.

Absolute mayhem ensued.

●

In total, it took 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

That's how long it took Elnore to reach us.

"…Impossible…"

Looking at the dazed Marquis Riverback muttering like that, I would have probably bust out laughing on a regular day.

But, isn't this a bit too much?

"…Are you okay?"

As I asked in a stiff voice, Elnore pursed her lips and tossed the two bloodied bodies away.

Watching her drag them around like they were trophies gave me chills.

"Well, it was refreshing. I think I'll be fine for a while."

"…"

Elnore was in the first floor at the entrance of the restaurant, while Marquis Riverback and I are in a special room on the top floor.

But right now, this person has managed to single-handedly slice through dozens to hundreds of people who were densely packed together, and make their way up here.

An elite force that Marquis Riverback could boast of being 'comparable to the Knights' were wiped out by her.

All while wearing a one-piece dress.

And in just a few minutes.

'Isn't this a real monster…?'

I can assure you of one thing. This is crazy. Even an EX-level Desperation wouldn't cut it.

With the EX level Desperation stat boost, I should be able to deal with 5 to 10 people. But against dozens to hundreds of elite troops?

It would already be considered good if I can hold out even for a few seconds.

Even Marquis Riverback, whose confidence was soaring just now, abruptly blanked out.

After all, the tower that he's built up over many years was destroyed in just a few minutes by one person.

As I was at a loss for words, Elnore's brows furrowed as if she suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, that's right."

Calmly throwing away two bloodied corpses, she came towards me.

"Come to think of it, it was not a good idea."

"…Yes?"

"It was hard. I could have been hurt. How could you make me do this?"

"…"

"Shouldn't you take responsibility?"

She was lying through her teeth without even batting an eye.

She has not one scratch and looked better than a brand new porcelain.

Rather, didn't you get rid of all the stress, even enjoyed it…?

"It did feel great but this isn't a date, no, that, anyway, you should make it up to me!"

"…"

"Let's go out together again next time. Alright?"

"…Should I?"

It doesn't feel like I really have the grounds to refuse right now.

"Um. You should. You'll have to take responsibility for other things later."

What is the other thing that I have to take responsibility for?

What should I take responsibility for?

As I sighed at the incomprehensible words, a window suddenly appeared before me.

[ Checking the current condition of target 'Elnore'. ]

[ Current favorability is 'Dear' or higher. The unique debuff 'Madness' has been improved under your influence. ]

[ Conditions for Exclusive Quest have been met. ]

< Exclusive Quest Triggered! >

[ 'Elnore Elinalise La Tristan' Exclusive Quest is added to the Gift Tab. ]

[ Clearing the quest will unlock higher favorability level than 'Dear'. ]

[ Clearing the quest will grant significant benefits to the main scenario. ]

[ Clearing the quest will affect the ending. ]

[ The target 'Gideon Galestead La Tristan' is interested in you! ]

"…?"

Wait a minute.

What's this?

The Exclusive Quest didn't exist in the game. Is this a new system?

But although there are many eye-catching prompts lined up, the most noticeable one is…

'Gideon?'

If it's Gideon, then it's him.

Archduke Tristan. A key figure in the empire, who is said to be the second most powerful person next to the Emperor, and the strongest knight nicknamed the One-man Army, and Elnore's father.

He's also a villain, who greatly contributed to Elnore's corruption into the final boss.

"…"

At least during the course of Chapter 1, he's not someone I was expecting to take an interest in me and have this message pop up.

What's happening?

'…Ah, I don't know.'

I shook my head and closed the window.

I can take a look at this later.

What's more important is this.

[ You have completed the Main Quest! ]

[ Quest completion time is less than 5 minutes! A record-breaking feat! ]

[ The highest level reward will be given! ]

"I… all the things I've accomplished…"

A quest completion prompt popped up along with the defeated appearance of Marquis Riverback. He's completely mentally crushed.

"…"

Well, it's understandable, considering that the thing he's been proudly building to perfection for years got destroyed in less than 5 minutes.

"Give up, Marquis Riverback."

Elnore went on calmly.

"It'll be your end once it gets out that you are associated with devil worshippers. Given the social stigma, there is no alternative other than immediate execution. You'd better surrender now and face a merciful end."

"…"

Her voice is calm, but her words are brutal.

It seems as though sparing him wasn't even an option.

'If the acquisition event has been derailed, the branch will…'

The branch after this point would have been either 'escape' or 'battle'.

But since Elnore has already taken care of all the enemies, neither option is necessary.

"…Hah."

Marquis Riverback bitterly laughed.

"I didn't think I'd have to resort to this."

I watched as Marquis Riverback pull something out of his pocket in a daze.

Perhaps, it's a cursed item that allows a person to borrow corrupt power for a short time.

'What follows after this is…'

Marquis Riverback awakens as the Purifier, and a boss battle follows immediately after.

Since it ended too easily, there's a high chance that a new branch will be added…

[ A new branch has appeared. ]

[ Branch: Essence Emergence ]

[ The difficulty level has significantly increased! ]

[ In addition to the reward, 'Devil's Essence,' an item related to the ending, will be given. ]

[ The target '???' will take even more interest in you! ]

"…"

What the f*ck?

As I was perplexed by the message that appeared before my eyes, Marquis Riverback finally took 'something' out that wriggled like a living creature's heart.

There seems to be an unknown, endless sticky darkness oozing at the center of it.

As soon as I saw this, a chill ran down my spine.

The feeling of 'things are seriously going wrong' crept up my whole body.

'Devil's Essence…!'

This sht.

No, stop this fcking sht.

That's not something that should appear in Chapter 1.

Simply being able to use some of the corrupt power and becoming a 'demon' after eating that are entirely different things!

"Elnore, cut off his arm! Don't let him eat that!"

"…?"

At my big reaction, the shocked Elnore immediately drew her sword and lunged towards Marquis Riverback.

"Receive the grace of God."

However, Marquis Riverback had already shoved the essence into his mouth.

And the next moment.

-!

-!!!!

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The whole Twilight Iris building was consumed by surging darkness.